Micheldever cancer survivor launches new campaign

A HAMPSHIRE man and his wife have launched a new campaign in the fight against cancer after he was given the all-clear from the disease.

Simon Hawkins, of Micheldever, was given just 18 months to live in November 2010 after being diagnosed with metastasised secondary cancer.

But thanks to his team of surgeons in Basingstoke, Mr Hawkins has been given the all clear and has started the Live Well 4 Longer campaign with his wife Penny to raise funds for Pelican – a charity based in Basingstoke that carries out research into liver and pelvic-area cancer.

Mr Hawkins has also written a thriller, Proteus, and all profits from the book sales will go to the campaign.

He said: “I cannot convey in words just how much I owe Pelican and their amazing surgeons – the word everything really doesn’t go far enough. Starting Live Well 4 Longer went some of the way but I wanted to do something personally.

“I am no Charles Dickens; I just want people to have a little bit of fun and relaxation. It was so strange I woke up one day with the plot in my head and just started writing. It must have been the drugs as I was on some pretty heavy medication at the time!”

But Mr Hawkins isn’t the only one to write a book inspired by his illness. Last year his partner, Penny Ericson, wrote a cookery book aimed at people going through chemotherapy and their carers called Chemo Cookery Club which was soon followed by a mini recipe book called Around the Kitchen Table.

Proteus is a thriller based in Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire is available to buy on Kindle for £1.99.